When it comes to your period, you may have more questions than answers. When will the exam start? How often does it come? Can certain foods affect how you feel? In your search for insights, you may have found information that you consider factual. But instead, some of it may be a myth. Here are some common myths about your period — and practical facts to combat them.
But before looking at the myths, let’s look at the basics of your period. Its technical name is menstruation. It begins when you go through puberty and your body develops the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones cause an egg to be released from one of your ovaries. The egg then travels down your fallopian tubes to your uterus. If the egg meets the sperm, you can get pregnant. If the egg doesn’t meet the sperm, it bursts and your uterus sheds its lining. This lining leaving your body is your period.
The way to improve health
Myth: You should get your first period before age 14.
Truth: Most individuals get their first period between the ages of 11 and 14. But every body is different. Don’t worry if you get yours when you’re younger or older than that. However, if you don’t get your first period when you’re 15, talk to your doctor.
If you want to know when you start getting your period, your body can give you a clue. Your first period usually comes about 2 years after your breasts start to develop. You may also notice you start to have vaginal discharge. That usually happens between 6 and 12 months before your period begins.
Myth: You can eat sweets while on your period.
Truth: You may crave sweets during your period. That’s because your hormones are changing and your blood sugar may change. But don’t give in to these cravings. While eating small amounts of sweets is fine, don’t go overboard.
Eating processed sugar provides quick but not lasting energy. What followed was called a road crash. After getting sugar sick, you may feel tired or have a headache. You may also feel irritable, anxious, or depressed. Avoiding processed sugars can help you keep your emotions stable.
Staying off the road can also help your waistline. Eating too much of any of these foods can cause weight gain. Instead, look to healthy foods during your period. The following foods have even been shown to reduce the pain of cramps:
- fruits
- Vegetable
- Whole grains, such as wholegrain bread, brown rice, and oatmeal
- Legumes, including peas, beans and lentils
- Foods rich in omega-3s, such as tuna, salmon, and walnuts
Myth: You should quit exercising while you’re on your period.
Truth: Lift weights or hit the gym, even during your period. Exercise is not only good for the body, but it can also help relieve menstrual cramps. A good workout can also reduce stress. Cardio is the best, even for something as simple as a brisk walk around the block. It’s important to exercise all month, not just during your period. Aim for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
Myth: You can’t get pregnant while on your period.
Truth: Although uncommon, you can get pregnant while on your period. This is especially true if you have short menstrual cycles—meaning you have shorter periods between periods than usual.
The cycle is counted from the first day of the menstrual period to the first day of the next period. For most individuals, that’s usually 28 to 30 days. Ovulation usually occurs 4 days before to 4 days after marking the halfway point of your cycle. Ovulation is the day your ovaries release an egg to travel down your fallopian tubes to your uterus. For a traditional cycler, ovulation usually occurs between day 10 and day 19.
If your cycle is shorter than 28 to 30 days, you will ovulate earlier. That means you won’t have much time between your period and your next ovulation. For example, if you have 23 days between periods, then you could ovulate as early as day 7. So if you have sex at the end of your period, you could get pregnant. That’s because eggs can live in your uterus for up to 24 hours and sperm can live in your uterus for up to 5 days. Having sex at the end of your period increases the chances that the egg and sperm will meet and lead to pregnancy.
Misconception: You shouldn’t ignore your time.
Truth: Occasional skipping a period is not uncommon. Umpteen. You could miss a month if you’re under a lot of stress, exercise more, or you’ve started or stopped using hormonal birth control. In addition, irregular periods are common in people who have just started menstruating and those who are nearing menopause. There are other reasons, too. If you miss two periods in a row, talk to your doctor. They may take a pregnancy test. If you’re not pregnant, they can help you determine your next steps.
Things to consider
If you’re a parent, you may feel uncomfortable discussing menstruation with your child. However, don’t be shy. Menstruation is a natural part of life and it is important to talk to your child about menstruation. Here are some ways to make it more comfortable:
- Start discussing menstruation before your child reaches puberty. That way, they’ll know what to expect whenever their period begins.
- Instead of sitting down for a long conversation, have several smaller conversations.
- Encourage your child to look to you for questions, instead of friends or the Internet. If you don’t know the answer to a question, tell them you’ll find the answer and get back to them.
If you want to know what you should tell your child, or if you’re still uncomfortable discussing it, talk to your doctor. They will be able to give you advice on how to talk about this body change in a way that is educational—and comforting—for both you and your child.